Come Back to Me Read Online Free PDF Page B

her sandals but left, the rest of her garb undisturbed. She was skittish enough as it was. Covering her, he went out to check on the horses.
    As he expected, his attendants had seen to the animals. There was nothing left for him to do save to look at them warily. There were two, both chestnuts with coats so glossy they held a silver sheen. They were brothers born a year apart to the same mare. Oversized brutes, they could gallop tirelessly all day and charge straight into battle with rambunctious glee. They could also cavort as though they were still colts. When Dragon was fool enough to come near them with apples, they would give him no rest until he fed them, rubbed their velvety noses, and told them how wonderful they were.
    He despised them. No, that wasn't fair. He despised the need to have anything to do with them. The animals themselves weren't to blame for that. It wasn't their fault he hated to ride and would never feel at home on the back of a horse no matter how much time he grimly and stubbornly spent there. Not that anyone knew his secret. He rode with the same power and grace he brought to everything but he took no credit for it. The gods had seen fit to endow him with unusual size and strength; he thanked them for it and went about his business. Every chance he got, he planted his feet firmly on the ground and counted on them to get him wherever he was going. They had never failed him, nor did he have to find fodder for them.
    The horses, dumb animals that they were, had no hint of his true feelings. They thought he liked them, which probably explained why they were always glad to see him. Even now, they were butting against him, vying for his attention, and making slobbering fools of themselves. He bore it as long as he could, checked again to make sure they had everything they needed, and retreated to the lodge.
    The girl was still asleep. She looked to remain that way for quite some time. Dragon plucked a bow and a sheaf of arrows off a peg on the wall and headed out the door.
     
    RYCCA WOKE AS THE SUN WAS DRIFTING LOWER in the sky. She sighed luxuriously and turned over onto her side. What luxury to be in a comfortable bed. Truly, she could not remember the last time she had felt so utterly relaxed. Not at home certainly because she had fled from there and…
    Her eyes shot open. She sat up abruptly and looked around. There was no sign of
him
, for which she was much relieved, and she did not at all feel a small pang of alarm. Absolutely not. Her head still hurt but not as much as it had. Yet did she feel bruised all over, as though the full effects of tumbling down the cliffside were only now making themselves felt.
    This must be the lodge he had mentioned. Her brows drew together. The appointments were far more luxurious than she had expected. The bed she was lying in was bigger, softer, and the covers… She plucked the blanket, noting that it was of finely spun wool skillfully woven. There was a large table near the fire. Its sturdy legs were carved in a spiral design and the whole was well polished. Two high-backed chairs startled her for she had never seen but two others like them in her life, her father's chair and the one he kept for honored guests. Yet not even he could boast the beautifully made pillows embroidered with bright flowers that graced each chair and assured the posterior of anyone seated in it would be well content.
    Pillows? Slowly, Rycca rose from the bed. The lodge boasted several windows equipped with ox-hide coverings that were rolled up to admit light and air. Beneath them were intricately carved chests. She walked over to one, tentatively lifted the lid, and was surprised when it opened. Instantly, the scent of honeysuckle and lilac rose to greet her. Eyes widening, she bent closer. Directly below the lid of the chest was a wooden tray and in that tray was…
    Soap? Perfectly formed circles of soap scented with honeysuckle and lilac replacing the usual smell of rendered animal